By: Dr Maria Gallo, Trinity College Dublin
Women & Philanthropy in Ireland: From Hidden Presence to Recognised Influence is a new landmark study that presents the first in‑depth qualitative exploration of giving by women to Ireland. I was part of a research team including my colleagues Dr Sheila Cannon, Dr Gemma Donnelly-Cox and Lian Wang at the Centre for Social Innovation at Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin. This research was possible with the support and partnership with Community Foundation Ireland. In March, Dr Mary McAleese launched the research report at Trinity College Dublin at an event to mark International Women’s Day.
Why This Research Matters
Women play a central role in Ireland’s culture of giving, yet their contributions are often under‑recognised or under‑researched. Through a literature review, consultation with international experts, and in‑depth interviews with women philanthropists and philanthropic advisors, this study set out to understand women’s giving journeys and the factors that shape them. As the research project lead, Dr Gemma Donnelly-Cox explains: “Our research finds that women in Ireland are giving in ways that are thoughtful, values‑driven, personal and strategic. They contribute financial support, time, networks, advocacy, and leadership.” The research aims to generate insights that could inform both policy and philanthropic practice, strengthening the evidence base for philanthropy in Ireland.
The study shows women generate opportunities to mobilise financial resources, expertise, and networks to address systemic challenges and strengthen communities locally and globally. At the launch Dr Sheila Cannon shared: “This research challenges outdated assumptions about women’s giving. Women in Ireland are not passive donors. They are strategic, values‑driven and deeply engaged in shaping social change.” She added: “We got to hear about thoughtful, careful, meaningful and impactful stories of giving and impact. It was a real privilege to gather these stories. We are so grateful to the women who gave us their time and shared their experiences with us.”
Overall, the research suggests that by expanding the visibility for women’s philanthropic leadership—alongside gender‑inclusive giving strategies, stronger data, and sustained investment—has the potential to unlock even greater impact.
Key Findings
Women’s philanthropy in Ireland is strategic, multi‑dimensional, and shaped over a lifetime. Early influences such as family values, education, and community engagement shape initial attitudes, while later in life women’s giving often becomes more strategic or catalytic, informed by leadership experience, legacy planning, and a desire to drive systemic change.
Women navigate dynamic dimensions in their philanthropy, balancing visibility and privacy, moving between collaborative and individual approaches to giving, and integrating data‑driven decision‑making with personal experience and values.
The report provides the first in-depth qualitative insight into how women are shaping the country’s philanthropic landscape, revealing a shift from largely invisible contributions to a more strategic and influential role. Based on interviews with 38 participants, the research finds that women’s philanthropy in Ireland is “thoughtful, values-driven, personal and strategic,” combining financial giving with time, expertise and advocacy to drive long-term social change.
A central finding is that women are not passive donors but active partners and leaders. As one contributor notes, philanthropy today is “not just money, it’s also who you know… I’m interested in solutions that can solve multiple problems at once.” This reflects a broader trend towards systemic thinking, where donors prioritise sustainable impact over short-term interventions.
The research also highlights the deeply personal nature of giving. Women’s philanthropic journeys often mirror their life experiences, evolving over time and shaped by family, education and values. “Our philanthropic journey is tied to our personal journey,” one interviewee explains, while another recalls giving “since my first full-time paycheck… even before I really knew what philanthropy meant.” This lifetime approach to giving underscores both consistency and adaptability, with women maintaining engagement even during periods of economic uncertainty.
Despite this growing influence, the report finds that women’s philanthropy often remains understated. A strong cultural preference for privacy persists, with many donors reluctant to self-identify publicly. As one participant puts it, “Irish people are generous… but very few will say, I give significantly… we are unbelievably discreet.” At the same time, others see visibility as a tool for advocacy, using their profile to encourage wider participation and normalise giving.
Another key insight is the balance women strike between emotional motivation and evidence-based decision-making. Many donors describe navigating between “my head” and “my heart,” combining personal passion with a focus on measurable impact and transparency. This dual approach reflects a maturing philanthropic culture that values both empathy and effectiveness.
Relationships and trust emerge as critical enablers. Women emphasise the importance of strong connections with organisations and advisors, with one noting, “Once you’re engaged, you’re much more likely to give again, because the relationship is there.” These relational dynamics support more sustained and strategic engagement over time.
Overall, the report positions women’s philanthropy as a “strategic force for positive social change in Ireland,” highlighting its growing scale, sophistication and impact. While challenges remain—including limited data and structural barriers—the findings point to significant untapped potential if visibility, policy support and research continue to evolve.
What’s Next
The study underscores the need for further philanthropy mapping and longitudinal research in Ireland. There is also value in an international comparative analysis—critical steps in advancing a more complete picture of women’s philanthropic impact in Ireland and the wider Irish philanthropic sector.
The report: Women & Philanthropy in Ireland: From Hidden Presence to Recognised Influence co-authored by Dr Sheila Cannon, Dr Gemma Donnelly-Cox, Dr Maria Gallo and Lian Wang of the Centre for Social Innovation, Trinity Business School – Trinity College Dublin is available here.
Dr Maria Gallo is Strategic Projects Manager at Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin and a co-author of this study.